A sparse month so far…which is all the more reason to see EVERYTHING, right?

Lois Anderson and Natasha Greenblatt in ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS.

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS at the NAC Theatre. A Handful of chances left to see one of the funnest spectacles of the year past. Until the 3rd!

FREEZING at the Gladstone Theatre. Family musical goodness, carrying on into the new year. Until the 4th.

CLYBOURNE PARK at the Ottawa Little Theatre. Ottawa premiere of a seriously acclaimed play. From the 13th to 31st.

TWO at the Gladstone Theatre, from 100th Monkey Productions. Starring the titanic thespian team of Michelle LeBlanc and Richard Gelinas…I don’t even CARE what the show is about, the cast is all I needed to know (tho John P.Kelly directing is good news as well). From the 14th to 31st.

MOSS PARK at the GCTC, from Green Thumb Theatre. A two-hander from the legendary George F.Walker. From the 20th to February 8th.

BONNIE & CLYDE: THE MUSICAL at the Kailash Mital Theatre (Carleton U.Campus), from Sock’n’Buskin. Singing and shooting, what could be better? From the 22nd to 31st.

LIGHT at Arts Court Theatre. From Lisa Jeans comes the latest entry in TACTICS, in a show that I think we’re all gonna want to see. From the 23rd to 31st. And Help out on their Indiegogo page too if you’re feeling generous this New Years!

GAME OF BONES at the Velvet Room, from Eddie May Mysteries. Dinner theatre based on the fan favourite fantasy television program I DREAM OF JEANNIE. Every Saturday.

TWELFTH NIGHT SEASON LAUNCH AND FUNDRAISER at the NAC 4th Stage, from A Company of Fools. Fresh from a hot run of their terrific SHIPWRECKED collaboration with the GCTC, the Fools are ready to let us know what’s in store for 2015 (and hopefully make enough money to pay for it in the process). On the 5th!

– THEATRE FRANCAIS

LE LONG VOYAGE DE PIERRE-GUY B. At the NAC Studio. From the 28th to 31st.

– IMPROV AND OTHER STUFF

‘BOUT TIME at Mother McGintey’s, from Crush Improv. Monthly 3 on 3 improv combat!IN HIGH RESOLUTION at the Lunenburg Pub, from Hall of Justice. On the 11th.

GRIMProv at The Cock and Lion on the first and last wednesday of the month.

EXPERIMENTAL FARM THEATRE returns on the 15th, at Pressed Cafe!

Crystal Basement at the Atomic Rooster on the last Tuesday of the month.

ROBBIE BURNS: A MAN’S A MAN FOR A’THAT at the NAC 4th Stage, from Ottawa Storytellers. On the 15th. And the OST’s next (UN)TOLD open Mic night is the 26th at the Black Rose in the Market.

The year is drawing to a close, which is terrible, because there’s not much theatre over the Winter holidays…Damn you to Hell, Santa Claus, you theatre-hating bastard!

But there’s still time to cram in a few shows before things go quiet, and high on that list of yours should be a trip to the still-retro National Arts Centre to catch Lewis Carroll’s ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, directed by English Theatre boss Jillian Keiley and starring the 2014/2015 ensemble (plus special guests). I can’t even wait to get into the review art of this post to tell you that ALICE is just about the most purely enjoyable, deliriously loopy pieces of theatrical hoopla you’ll see this year, and probably next. You know the tale, more or less…inquisitive Alice takes a trip inside the mirror (not down the rabbit hole, that’s the OTHER story) to a world where lions fight unicorns, people remember things that haven’t happened yet, and pretty much anything goes. This is terrific theatre magic on display, from a knightly war featuring oversized rollerballs and bouncing ponies, a movable bicycle forest that’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in a long time, tap dancing oysters, and a seemingly endless chorus of mock-Alices performing every mad function Keiley and company could dream up.

Lois Anderson and Natasha Greenblatt in ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS.

The show is expertly anchored by Natasha Greenblatt as Alice, wonderfully endearing and tireless as our underage heroine on a loopy quest to become a Queen (although existing Red and White Queens Karen Robinson and Lois Anderson may have some things to say about that). Unforgettable moments happen pretty much every minute or so, with Herbie Barnes and Darrell Dennis making a smashing Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and David Warburton’s Humpty Dumpty simply has to be seen…plus of course my beloved teachers Alix Sideris and Andy Massingham, knocking it out in a variety of different guises. 🙂 I can’t even really describe the things I saw, other than to say you really gotta see them too. And there are Jellybeans..!!! Screw it, just go. Go, and take whatever kids you know (and bring your own inner kid for sure), and get ready to have a blast on the other side of the mirror. Peace, love and soul,

A Quickie review for old time’s sake, and because I’m worried these days that if I take too long to write one of these posts it won’t goddamn well get done! Also, because I had a swell time out at the Theatre last night and wanted to tell y’all about it.

Popped in out of the blizzard for the timely arrival of the Gladstone Theatre‘s wintery tradition THE RADIO SHOW from Plosive Productions, this time aptly setting sights on CHRISTMAS CLASSICS as a theme. Fair enough, and even though I was a touch sceptical, being well and truly cynical these days about the whole holiday assault on the collective senses, I figured I might as well give’er a go. A few of my fav’rit people were in this one, and that was reason enough to check it out. That cast consisted of Michelle LeBlanc and Katie Bunting, both Radio Show veterans; John Koensgen, always a treat to see; and David Gerow and Omar Dabaghi-Paheko, a couple of CBC lads lending their talented voices to the proceedings. Directed as usual by the mighty Teri Loretto-Valentik, the show features a couple of smaller, classic pieces like GIFT OF THE MAGI, which does a great job of highlighting superstar Katie Bunting, as well as Pacheko’s onstage acting debut (he’s solid, gang). John Koensgen gives TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS a go, aided and abetted by Jonah Lerner on the live foley throughout.

Longer pieces anchor the show tho, including the terrific choice of adapting an episode of the Lucille Ball radio comedy MY FAVOURITE HUSBAND, with the Xmas-themed GEORGE’S CHRISTMAS PRESENT. Michelle LeBlanc makes for a terrific Lucy, riffing with Katie Bunting as the maid and a wisecracking Koensgen. It’s a great and seriously funny bit…if you like, check out an animated version set to thee original recording HERE. The show ends off with David Whiteley’s new adaptation of THE LITTLE PRINCE, a smashing and moving fantasy that I can’t believe I’d never seen before (now to somehow get to Vancouver next year for the Monster Theatre version…). I’d actually have to rate this year’s radio show as one of the best yet, accentuated throughout by Robin Guy, Cindy Beaton and Michelle Fansett as the swingin’, singin’ Gladstone Sisters. It’s a damn good time, and a great excuse to get in out of the snow. Peace, love and soul,

Before getting disappointed by Santa, treat yourself and yer pals to some awesome theatre instead!

Margo MacDonald and Scott Florence as Pommes and Restes.

POMMES AND ‘RESTES: SHIPWRECKED! ON THE TEMPESTUOUS LOST ISLAND OF NEVER, at the GCTC from A Company of Fools. Ottawa’s legendary clown duo return, and bring some of literature’s greatest characters along for the ride. A wonderful and foolish adventure, take it from me. Until the 14th.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE at the Gladstone Theatre, from Bear and Company. Tennessee Williams’ classic gets a gorgeous treatment from director Eleanor Crowder and a terrific cast. Ends on the 6th.

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN at the Ottawa Little Theatre. An ambitious and family friendly production to close out 2014 at the OLT. Until the 13th.

THE TEMPEST at Dunton Tower, room 2017 (Carleton U campus), from Sock’n’Buskin. Last weekend for SnB’s take on Prospero and company. The 5th and 6th.

THE TALE OF A TOWN from Fixt Point Theatre. Starting at the GCTC on the 4th, Shenkman Arts Centre on the 5th, and Arts Court on the 6th, this show will then proceed to unfold at mystery site-specific locations nearby. Unmissable. Performances at 7 and 9 each night!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Ottawa Little Theatre, from Dufflebag Theatre and the Ottawa International Children’s Festival. One night only on the 7th to get your Dickens fix this season!

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Centrepointe Studio, from Suzart Productions. I remember when this movie played in Ottawa for 2 years straight (no pun intended). Go see why! The 4th to 7th.

THE RADIO SHOW: CHRISTMAS CLASSICS at the Gladstone Theatre, from Plosive Productions. The annual Radio show is back, with an appropriately holiday-themed collection of hits. From the 9th to 14th.

NARNIA at Centrepointe Studio, from 9th Hour Theatre. 9th Hour finishes up their CS Lewis season with n all-out musical based on the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. From the 11th to 21st.

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS at the NAC Theatre. A big event of a play to close out the year, featuring the NAC ensemble plus special guests! From the 9th to January 3rd.

FREEZING at the Gladstone Theatre. A wintery musical to keep you warm over Xmas. From the 18th to January 4th.

FAIRY TALE ENDING: THE BIG BAD FAMILY MUSICAL at the Ron Maslin Playhouse, from Kanata Theatre. Family musical fun, and it’s even Canadian. From the 27th to 30th.

PAUL HUTCHESON’S NEW YEAR’S EVE on the 31st, presented by Black Sheep Theatre. He’s back, and he’s bringing his pals with him (including Katie Hood, I hear) to ring in the New Year! Always a fantastic time.

– IMPROV AND OTHER STUFF‘BOUT TIME at Mother McGintey’s, from Crush Improv Monday the 1st, featuring two all-star teams vying for your love, in a special show to raise funds for the Youth Services Bureau!

007 ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL at Academic Hall, from Crush Improv. Celebrate seven years of funny, Bond-style. Remember you can use the promo code Visitorium to get 5 buck off the ticket price if you buy in advance!

GRIMPROV at the Cock and Lion, first and last Wednesday of every month.

EFT UP COMEDY SHOW at Pressed Cafe, from Experimental Farm Theatre. More eft up fun on the 11th!

THE HALL-IDAY SPECTACULAR at the Lunenburg Pub, December 14th from Hall of Justice Improv.

CRYSTAL BASEMENT at the Atomic Rooster, last Tuesday of every month.

TONIGHT ON OUR STAGE at the NAC 4th Stage. A one-night only variety show on the 16th, with a killer lineup of talent including Dynamite Motel, GRIMprov, Feckin’ Pirates and more!

Keep checking back, I update often as new stuff (or old stuff I missed) comes along! Peace, love and soul,

THE VISITORIUM is the web home of one Kevin Reid, aka The Visitor (it’s a long story), an Ottawa based theatre fanboy and amateur reviewer. The Visitorium opened in June of 2010 to mild applause, and has been growing steadily ever since. While most of the content is Theatrical review, ... Continue reading →